Books that Spur: Tom Nichols on “The Death of Expertise”

People are now exposed to more information than ever before, provided both by technology and by increasing access to every level of education. In his most recent book The Death of Expertise, Tom Nichols argues that these societal gains have helped fuel a surge in narcissistic and misguided intellectual egalitarianism that has crippled informed debates on any number of issues. Nichols has deeper concerns than the current rejection of expertise and learning, noting that when ordinary citizens believe that no one knows more than anyone else, democratic institutions themselves are in danger of falling either to populism or to technocracy, or both.

Tom Nichols is Professor of National Security Affairs at the US Naval War College, an adjunct professor at the Harvard Extension School, and a former aide in the U.S. Senate. He is also the author of several works on foreign policy and international security affairs, and a five-time undefeated Jeopardy! Champion.